Block-signaling system.



A. B. KENDALL.

BLOCK SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-I- I913.

1,258,622. Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

2 SHEETS-S I.

A. B. KENDALL.

BLOCK SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-7.1913.

1,258,622. Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALLEN B. KENDALL, OF MAY WOOD, ILLINOIS.

BLOCK-SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application filed August 7, 1913.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN B. KENDALL, citizen of the United States,residing at Mavwood, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois. haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Block-SignalingSystems. oil which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exactdescription.

My invention relates to a block-signaling systei'n tor railways. Itsobject is to provide a simplified system for controlling automaticsignals on a single track road so that a train leaving a station in onedirection will set all the signals between that and the next station atthe stop position for a train moving in the opposite direction and willalso set signals for a train following in the same direction so thatsaid latter train can follow the 'lirst train in the same direction but.not closer than one block thereto, that is, not closer than the distancebetween the signals. In short, my invention contemplates an absoluteautomatic block-signal system with respect to trains traveling inopposite directions on a single track and a permissive automaticblock-signal system with respect to trains traveling in the samedirection on a single track.

The various features of my invention may be more readily understood byreference to Figures 1 and '2 of the accompanying drawings. By placingsaid figures end to end with Fig. 2 at the right of Fig. 1. there isdisclosed a continuous diagram of circuits and. apparatus embodying thepreferred form of my invention, said diagram showing the normalcondition of the circuits and apparatus for a series of unoccupiedblocks between two railway stations.

Tl'ie railway, whether it be for steam or electric cars, may be laid oilin the usual manner in a, series of blocks, such blocks representing thedistance between signals. and each block in turn may be divided intotraclcsections. Each of said track-sections is electrically divided bythe section insulators a as is eiiston'iarv. In the drawings I, II, III,IV, V and VI represent six track-sections bet ween the railway stationsX and Y, there being two track-sections to each block.

In the single track system illustrated, the several blocks are guardedat each end by a su table signal meel'ianism, as for example, byscn'iapheres 1, 3, 5, 7, coi'itrolling the trallic in one direction, and0, 2, 4. 6, controlling the traliic in the opposite direction. SaidSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

Serial No. 783,506.

semaphore signals and their controlling mechanisms may be of standardconstruction and are preferably so arrai'lged that when the circuits fortheir corresponding controlling mechanisms are energized, the signalsare set at safety or caution, as the case may be, but upon the saidcirciiiits being opened, the corresponding signals a re set at danger.

The circuits of a system embodying my invention may be best understoodby tracing the circuits which control the. signals between the tworailway stations X and Y. such circuits being duplicated throughout thesystem.

Each signal has two controlling circuits. one the 45 control for settingthe signal at caution and the other the 90 control for setting thesignal at clear or proceed at full speed. If both of these controllingcircuits for the signal be open, then said signal falls to the danger orstop position.

Referring to the drawings, the signal 1, for example, has its caution or45 control circuit extending from battery B through the contact 6 ofrelay A to the control apparatus of signal 1, indicated diagrammaticallyin the drawings and from thence to the wire leading to the opposite poleof the battery. Said signal has its clear or 90 con trol circuitextending from battery B through contact a of relay C to said controlapparatus and from thence to the wire leading to the opposite pole ofthe battery. In like manner the controlling circuits for the othersemaphore signals may be traced. It will thus be noted that for eachsignaling mechanism there are two relays, one directly con trolling itscaution and the other its clear indication. For example, the relay Aopens or closes the contact 6 in the circuit controlling the caution orcontrol and the relay (1 opens or closes contact a in the clear or 90control of the signal 1.

As above stated the caution or 45 control of signal 1 is under thecontrol of the relay A. The circuit of said relay A extends from thewire to common to a like pole of the several batteries B, B, B B,through said relay A, contact d of relay D, wire a extending to the nextblock, contact 7" of relay D contact of relay A to battery B. There arethus in the circuit of said relay A three points of control representedtively. In like manner the circuits of the corresponding relayscontrolling the circuits of the caution or 4L5 control of the othersignals may be traced.

As above stated, the clear or 90 control. of signal 1 has its controlcircuit including the relay contact 6 of relay C. The circuit of saidrelay C includes the contact h of relay A and the wire C to the nextblock, the continuity of said wire being under the control of thecircuit-breaker which latter is operated by the semaphore signal 31inthe usual manner, that is, closed when signal 3 is at 45 or 90 Thecircuit of said relay C may be traced from the common wire to throughsaid relay C, contact h of relay A, wire 0, circuit-breaker E to batteryB. In like manner the circuit of relay C includes contact 71 of relay Aand circuitbrealrer E controlled by semaphore 0; the relay C includescontact ]L3 of relay A and circuit-breaker E and so on with respect torelays C C C and C When none of the track-sections between the twosections are occupied, the relays'D, D D D*, D, D, bridged across thetrack rails, are energized by current from the corresponding batteriesw, m 09 etc; The relays D, D D etc., are thus energlzed and close theirrespective contacts, and the circuit conditions are those represented inthe drawings, in which all the signals are shown as set at clear orsafety.

The operation of my invention is as follows: A train entering tracksection I from station X will short circuit the relay D. The consequentdeenergization of said relay will open the contact d inthe circuit ofthe relay A. The resulting deen'ergization of the relay A opens itscontacts 7) and h, the former directly controlling the caution or e5control of signal 1 and the latter opening the circuit of the relay C,which latter relay, as above described, controls the clear or 90 controlof signal 1. Thereupon the signal 1 moves to the danger or stopposition.

The above mentioned short circuiting of relay D by a trainentering thetrack section I also results in the opening of contact f in the circuitof the relay A Said latter circuit may be traced from one pole of'thebattery B through contact f, wire a contact (l to the common wire toleading to the opposite pole of the battery. The circuit of relay A1being thus opened at contact f, its contacts and 72 are opened. Thecontact b is in the circuit of the caution or 15 control of signal II;and contact'k is in the circuit of the relay C which controls thecontact 0 in the circuit of the clear or 90 control ofthe signal II.Both of said. circuits" thus being opened, the signal II is ioved to thestop posltlon. The deenergizzv tion'of the relay A also results'm theopening of its contact g which falls upon the insulated surface 2' ofthe contact selector F, thereby opening the circuit of the relay A". Thecircuit of'said relay A* may be traced as follows :from battery B,through contact of relay A contact f of relay B, wire a leading to thenext contact (l of relay D, winding of relay A to the common wire to.The deenergization of the relay A due to its circuit having been openedat g of the relay A results in the opening of contacts g, Z), and kthereby resulting in the setting of the signal IV at the danger or stopposition in the same manner as'already described with respect to signalII. In like manner the opening of contact of relay A opens the circuitof relay A, which, through its contact 6 and Its controlsthe caution or4-5 and the safe or 90 control of signal VI. Said signal VI is thereuponmoved to the stop or danger position. Si nals II, IV and VI are thusindicating danger or stop to a train moving in an opposite directionfrom station Y, and thus positive protection is given against a trainleaving station Y for station X.

lVhile the train is in track section I, as above described, the signal 1also is set at stop or danger to a train leaving station X and travelingin the same direction as a train already in section I.

l/Vhen a train moves from section I into section II, the signals remainset, as above described, since although the circuit for the relay Abecomes closed at contact (1, the circuit for said relay A is open atcontact f of relay D said latter relay being now shunted by the train insection II. Also,

although the circuit of relay A is closed at contact 7, the circuit ofsaid relay A is open. at contact (Z of relay D although the train hasmoved from track section I to track section II, the signals remain asset by the train when it moved into track section In Assuming next thatthe train passes from track section II into track section III, the relayD is shunted and its armature m falling against the insulated surface aof the metallic cont-act selector F, mounted upon the end of theflexible steel bar a, will move said selector to the right to suchposition that when the circuit for the relay A is open, the contactspring thereof will fall against the contact surface ofthe selector Fand will complete the circuit for the relay'A. This completion of thecircuit for the relay A will close the 45 control of signal 1 at contact6 of said relay, thus giving the permissive or caution indication atsignal 1, allowing a train to follow one bloclrbehind theprecedingtrain.

As above stated, the 90 or clear control for each signal is under thecontrol of a corresponding relay. For example, the 90con- Therefore,

trol of signal 1 is under the control of the relay C, the circuit ofwhich is controlled at the contact h of the relay A and also by thecircuit breaker E under the control of the semaphore signal 3.Therefore, for the 90 control circuit of signal 1 to be closed. it isnot only necessary that the contact it of relay A be closed, but it isalso necessary that the signal 3 he set either at caution or clearindication. It is obvious that said signal 8 will not move to thecantion or 15 position until the train has moved into the blockrepresented by track-section V, whereupon the signal 1 will be movedfrom caution to clear, thus indicating to a train following that it mayproceed at full speed.

It will be noted that the several contact selectors F are of likestructure, each being a block oi metal secured upon the end of aflexible strip steel w. and having upon its slanting sides insulatingmaterial Thus, when one of the relays bridged across the line becomesdeenergized, as for example relay 1), its armature, as for example m,will fall against the inclined insulated side'i of said block F and pushit to one side so that when the companion relay, as for example therelay A is subsequently deencrgized, its armature, as for example thearmature d, will complete the circuit (which would otherwise be brokenby the retraction of said armature) through said selector F and themetallic strip n.

It will be noted that the corresponding relays and the contactscontrolled thereby are for convenience given corresponding retcr-"nccletters having exponents corresponding to the number of thetrack-section. In short, parts similar to those already hereinbe't'oredescribed are. given similar reference characters having exponentscorresponding to the track-sections at which they are lo cated.

It is obvious that my'invention is not limited to the specific structureof circuits and apparatus illustrated in the drawings and that changestherein may be made without departing from my invention as defined inthe accompanying claims.

.Vhat I claim is:

1. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each tracle section: of a track-relay in bridgeof each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and asignal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling thecircuits thermi certain of said signal-control relays having a circuitincluding a switch under the joint control of a track-relay and a sgnal-control relay of another block, said having a plurality ofpositions where- 1'18 current may flow in said. circuit in the samedirection.

2. In a block-signal system, the combination With a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails .of each tracksection; of a track-relay in bridge ofeach track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and asignal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling thecircuits thereof, each of said signal-control relays having a circuitincluding a switch under the control of the corresponding track-relay,and the circuits of certain oi? said signal-control relays alsoincluding a switch under the joint control of a trackrclay and asignal-control relay of another block, said switch having a plurality ofpositions wherein the current may flow in said circuit in the samedirection.

3. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each tracle section; oi. a track-relay in bridgeof each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; asignal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling thecircuits thereof, certain of said signal-control relays having a circuitincluding a switch. closed by the energization of another of saidsignal-control relays, said switch, upon the deiinergization of saidlast mentioned signalcontrol relay, being either closed upon analternative path or opened dependent upon the energized or deiinergizedconditiornof a traclerelay at the time of such deencrgization of saidsignal-control relay.

4-. In. a. bloclesignal system, th combina tion with a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each tracksection; of a track-relay in bridge ofeach track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and asignal-control. relay for each. of said block-signals for controllingthe circuits thereof, certain of said signal-control relays having acircuit including a switch having alternative positions independent ofthe pesi ti on of a corresponding signal determined by another of saidsignal-control relays, said circuit being closed through one path in oneposition of said switch and closed through a alternative path when saidswitch moved to its alternative position at a time when a cooperatingtrackrelay is dci nergized.

In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway havingelectrically diyided t'ack-scctious and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each t-racles-iectiou; ot' a traclerelay inbridge of each track-section; electrically actuated bloclesignals; asignal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling thecircuits thereof. certain of said signal-control. relays having acircuit including a switch having alternative positionsdetermined byanother of said s gnal-control relays, sa1d circuitrbeing closed throughone path in one position of said switch, a movable contact-selectorunder the control of a trackrelay cooperating with said last mentionedsignal-control relay for controlling the closure of said switch-throughan alternative ;lay for a dist-ant signal, said signal-control relayhaving a circuit including a switch.

cOmprising a member adapted to contact with apart ofsaid circuitto closesaid circuit throughone path and to cooperate with said movablecontact-selector to close said ,circuitthrough another path. I

., 7. In a block-signal system, the combinationvwith a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each of said track-sections; of a track-relay inbridge iof each track-seetlon; an electrically actuated block-signalcorresponding to each of said track-relays, the block-signals of twoadjacent track-sections controlling traflic in opposite directions;movable contact-selectors corresponding to certain of said traclcrelays; means controlled by said last mentioned track-relays forpositioning the corresponding movable contact-selectors; andsignal-control relays for controlling a circuit of each of said signals,certain of said signalcontrol relayshaving a circuit including a switchcooperating with one of said movable contact selectors.

8. In a-block-signal system, the combina tion with a railway havingelectricallydivided track-sections and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each of said traclcsections; of a track-relay inbridge of each track-section; an electrically actuated block-signalcorresponding to each of said track-relays, the block-signals of twoadjacent track-sections controlling traffic in opposite directions; a 45control-relay 'for controlling a circuit of each of said signals,certain of sa1d45 control-relays having a e1rcu1t including a switchunder the control :of the corresponding track-relay and a switch memberunder the control of another of said 45 control-relays and means coop-.V crating with the said last-named member to 60.

relay is deenergized.

maintain said circuit when said last-named 9.-In a block-signal system,the combina tion with a railway having electrically dividedtrack-sections and a sou'rceof electric currentin bridge of the'railsoteach of said track-sections; of a track-relay in bridge of eachtrack-section; an electrlcally actuated block-signal corresponding toeach of said track-relays, the block-signals of two adjacenttrack-sections controlling traflic in opposite directions; a 45control-relay for controlling a circuit of each of said signals, certainof said 45 control-relays having a circuit including a switch under thecontrol of the corresponding track-relay, aswitch member under thecontrol of another of said track-relays, and a switch, under the controlof another of said 45 control-relays and means cooperating with the saidlast-named member to. maintain said circuit when said last-named relayis deenergized.

10. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway havingelectricallydivided track-sections anda source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each of said;-

track-sections; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; anelectrically actuated block-signal corresponding to each of saidtrack-relays, the block-signals'oftwo adjacent track-sectionscontrolling traffic in opposite directions; a 45 control-relay forcontrolling a circuit of each of said signals, certain of said 45controlerelays having a circuit including a switch underthe control ofthe corresponding track-relay and a switch underthe control'of atrack-relay of an adjacent traclcsection, and a switch memher under thecontrol of a 45 control-relay of an adjacent block and means cooperatingwith the said last-named member to maintain said circuit when saidlast-named relay is deenergized. 1

11. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections and a source of elec-' trio currentin bridge of the rails of each track-section; of a track-relay in bridgeof each track-section; electrically actuated block-signals; asignal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling thecirsection; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section;electrically actuated blocksignals; a signal-control relayfor'each ofsaid block-signals for controlling the circuits thereof, certain of saidsignal-control relays having a circuit including a, switch closed by theenergization of another of said signalcontrol relays, means controlledby a track relay for causing said switch to preserve said :ircuit uponthe deenergization OI said last mentioned signal-control relay.

13. In a bloclesignal system, the combination with a railway havingelectrically di vided u'arlesections and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each track section; of a track-relay in bridge ofeach track-section; electrically actuated blocksiguals; and asignal-control relay for each ot said bloclesignals for controlling thecircuits thereof, certain of said signal-control relays having a circuitincluding a switch having alternative positions determined by another ofsaid signal-control relays, said circuit being closed through one pathin one position of said switch and closed through an alternative path topermit the current to flow in said circuit in the same direction whensaid switch is moved to its alternative position at a time when acooperating trackrelay is deiinergized.

1 l. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway havingelectrically di- 'vided track-sections and a source of electric currentin bridge of the rails of each tracksection; of a track-relay in bridgeof each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and asignal-control relay for each ot said block-signals for controlling thecircuits thereof, certain of said signal-control relays having a circuitincluding a switch having alternative positions determined by another ofsaid signal-control relays, said circuit being closed through one pathin one pos tion of said switch and closed through an alternative pathwhen said switch is moved to its alternative position only at a timewhen the corresponding track-relay is dei nergized.

15. In a block-signal system, the combinanation with a railway havingelectrically diided track-sections and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each tracksection; of a track-relay in bridge ofeach tracleseetion; electrically actuated blocksiguals: a signal-controlrelay for each of said block-signals for controlling the circuitsthereof, certain of said signalcontrol relays having a circuit includinga switch l'iaving alternative positions determined by another o't saidsignal-control relays, said circuit being closed through one path in oneposition of said switch, and means controlled by the track relay forclosing said circuit through said switch when said switch is in itsalternative position.

16. In a block signal system for railways, the combination withelectrically actuated block-signals of a track-relay controlled by acar, a movable contact-selector, means controlled by said track-rclayfor positioning said contact-selector, and a signal-control relay for adistant signal, said signal-com trol relay having a circuit including aswitch cooperating with said movable contact-selector, and asignal-control relay for another signal controlling said switch.

17. In a block-signal system, the combina tion with a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each tracksection; of a traclerelay in bridge ofeach track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and asignal-control relay for each of said bloelesiy'ials for controlling thecircuits thereof, certain of said signal-controlrelays having a circuitincluding a switch, comprising two members, one of which is under thecontrol of the track-relay and one of which is under the control of thesignalcontrol relay.

18. In a railway signaling, a stretch of single track, signals locatedat intervals for governing tratlic in one direction through the stretchand other signals located at intervals for governing tra'llic in theother direction through the stretch, a signal relay for the control ofeach signal, a circuit for each signal relay, switches in certain ofsaid circuits and controlled by the signal relay for the signalrespectively next in advance governing traffic in the same direction,trackrelays connected with the stretch for the control of the signalrelay circuits, and means for rendering certain of said switcheseffective to prevent the signal-relay in the rear of a car or train fromcontrolling the signal relays for the signals in the rear which governtratlic in the same direction.

19. In railway signaling, a stretch of single track, signals located atintervals for governing trallic in one direction through the stretch andother signals located at intervals for governing trailic in the otherdirection through the stretch, a signal relay for the control of eachsignal, a circuit for each signal-relay, switches in certain of saidcircuits and controlled by the signal relay for the signal respectivelynext in advance govcrnin g tral'lic in the same direction. tra ck relaysconnected with the stretch -for the coin trol of the signal relaycircuits, and means controlled by a track relay for rendering certain ofsaid switches effective to prevent the signal-relay in the rear of a caror train from controlling the signal relays for the signals in the rearwhich govern tratlic in the same direction.

20. In combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located atintervals for goveruing trallic through said stretch, a signal relay foreach signal, switches for controlling certain of said signal relays andcon trolled by the signal relays for the signals respectively next inadvance, traclr circuits for the stretch including relays for controlling the signal relays and. means for render- LOO ing certain of saidswitches effective to prevent said signal relays from controlling thesignal relays respectively for the signals next in the rear.

21. In railway signaling, a stretch of single track, signals located atintervals for governing tralliillc in one direction through i thestretch and other signals located at i11- tervals for governing trafiic1n the other di rections through the stretch, circuits for the si nals,and switches controlled by a car or a train in the stretch for openingthe circuits of the signals in advance of the carcor train governingtralfic in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of thecarer train and the circuit of a signal in the rear of the car or traingoverning traffic in the direc tion of movement of the train and meansfor rendering certain of said switches effective to preserve thecircuits of other signals in the rear of the car or train governingtraflic in the direction of inovementlof the car or train.

22. In railway signaling, a stretch of sun 'gle track, signals locatedat intervals for governing traflic in one direction through the stretchand other signals located at in-- tervals for governing traflic in theother direction through the stretch, a signal relay for the control ofeach signal, a circuit for each signal relay each of Which circuits 1l1-cludes a switch controlled by tliesignal lay, for thenextsignal inadvance governing vtratfic in the same direction, track relays connectedwith the stretch for controlling the circuits of the signal, relays, abranch for eachof certain of the signal relay circuits, and means forcausing said switches to close said circuits through said branches whensaid circuits are opened by the action of said signal relays.

23. In railway signaling, a stretch of single track, signals located atintervals for governing traflic' in one direction through the stretchand other signals located at iiitervals for governing traflic in theother direction through the stretch, a signal relay for the control ofeach signal, acircuit for each signalrelay each of which circuitsincludes a switch controlled by the signal relay for the next signal inadvance governing stretch, a signal relay for the control of eachsignal, acircuit for eachrelay each of which circuits includes a switchcontrolled by the relay for the signal next in advance, track circuitsfor the stretch including track relays for controlling said signal relaycircuits, a branch for each ofcertain of said signal relay circuits, andmeans for causing said switches to close said circuits through:

said branches when saidcircuits are opened by the action of said signalrelays.

25. In combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located atintervals for governingtralfic through said stretch, a signal re- .layfor each signal, a circuit for each relay,

SWl'llChBS in certain of said circuits and coin trolled respectively bysignal relays, and means for causing certain. of said switches topreserve saidcircuits upon cessation of the action of said last n'amedrelays to hold said signal-relay circuits closed.

26. In-combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located atintervals for govern-' ing traflicthrough said stretch, a signal relayfor each signal, a circuit for each relay, switches in certain of saidcircuits and controlled respectively by signal relays, track circuitsfor the stretch including track-relays, contact members connected to"said signal relay circuits and moved by said track relays to cooperatewith said switches to preserve said circuits upon cessation of theaction of one of said signal relays tending to hold anotherof said'signal relay circuits closed. i

27. In combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located atintervals for governingtrafiic-throughsaid stretch, a signal 7 relay:for each signal, a circuit for each relay, movable switchinembersconnected to one partof certain of said circuitsand making' contact withanother part thereof to complete said circuit, contactselectors'connected to said last named part of certain of a saidcircuits and means controlledgby said track-relays for positioning saidselectors to contact with said switchmmbers when said members movetobreak their respective circuits.

28. In combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located atintervals for governing-traffic throughsaid stretch, a signal relay foreach signal, a circuit for each relay, movable switch members connectedto one part of certain ofsaid circuits and making contact with anotherpart thereof to coinplete said circuit, armatures'for said track relaysand contact selectors comprising a body member having a face inclined tothe direction of movement of and adapted to be acted upon by one of saidarmatures, a flexible support-for said body member and'a contact carriedthereby and connected to one of the said last named parts of certain ofsaid circuits and adapted tobe brought into the path of one of: saidmembers bythe action of one of said armatures upon said inclined face.

29. In a signaling system, a signal circuit, a movable switch memberforming a portion thereof. said member being connected to one part ofsaid circuit and adapted to contact with another part of said circuit toclose said circuit through one path, a second circuit including a relay,an armature controlled thereby, a movable contact connected to said lastnamed part of said first named circuit and adapted to be moved into thepath of said member by said armature to close said first-named circuitthrough another path.

30. In a signaling system, a, circuit, a switch member normally closingsaid circuit through one path and movable to break said circuit, acontact-selector connected to a part of said circuit and adapted to bemoved into the path described by said switch during its movement to opensaid circuit, whereby the opening movement of said switch brings it intocontact with said contact-selector to close said circuit through anotherpath.

31. In a signaling system, a circuit, a switch member normally closingsaid circuit through one path and movable to break said circuit, acontact-selector connected to a part of said circuit and normallypositioned out of the path described by said switch during its openingmovement, a second circuit including a relay, means controlled by saidrelay for moving said contact-selector into the path of said switch,whereby said firstnamed circuit is closed through another path by theopening movement of said switch.

In a signaling system, a circuit, a switch member normally closing saidcircuit through one path and movable to break said circuit. acontact-selector connected to a part of said circuit and adapted to bemoved into the path described by said switch during its movement to opensaid circuit, whereby the opening movement of said switch brings it intocontact with said contact-selector to close said circuit through anotherpath, said switch and contact-selector being so relatively positionedthat the opeir ing made in the first path by movement of the switch isof the same magnitude whether or not said contact-selector is positionedto i-oo 'ierate with said switch. to close said circuit through saidsecond path.

33. In a block signal system. th combination with a railway havingelectrically dividcd track sections, a source oi. electric current in.bridge of the rails of each tracksection and a track relay in bridge oeach track-section, o't electrically-actuated block signals, signalcontrol circuits for certain of said signals, switches for controllingsaid signal control circuits, a selecting device set in. operativecondition by the action at a track relay, and means cooperating withsaid selecting device and set into action upon the opening of one ofsaid switches to close the gap formed in one of said signal-controlcircuits by the opening of one of said switches.

3 L. In a block signal system, the combination of a railway havingelectrically divided track sections. a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each track section and a track relay in bridge ofeach track section, of electrically-actuated blocl: sig nals,signal-control circuits for certain of said signals, switches forcontrolling said signal-control circuits, a normally open auxiliarycircuit. a selecting device set into operative condition by the actionof a track relay, and means controlled by a signal-control circuit forcooperating with said select ing device to close said auxiliary circuit.around the gap formed in one of said signal control circuits by theopening ot one of said switches.

In a block signal system, the combi nation 01 a railway havingelectrically divided track sections, a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each track section and a. track relay in bridgeof each track section, o't electrically-actuated block signals,signal-control circuits -for certain of said signals, switches forcontrolling said signal-control. circuits, :1. selecting device set inoperative condition by the action of a track relay, and means dependentupon the condition of said selecting device and oi": one

of said signal-control circuits for neutral izing the effect of theopening of one of said switches in said signal-control circuits.

36. In a block signal system, the combination with a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections, a source of electric current inbridge of the rails oi? each section and a track relay in bridge of eachtrack section, of electrically-actuated block signals, a signal control.relay t'or each signal, circuits for said signal. control relays,switches in certain of said circuits and controlled by the signal relayfor the signal respectively next in advance governing trallic in thesame direction, whereby a gap may be made in the circuit of a signalcontrol relay, a normally open auxiliary circuit around said gap, amember movable to a plurality oi, positions under the action of one ofsaid track relays, and means dependent upon the position of said memberand set in motion by the de'c nergization of a signal control relay toclose said auxiliary circuit around the gap made by the opening of theswitch controlled. by said last-named signal control relay.

3'7. In a blocl signal system, the combination with a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections, a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each section and a track relay in bridge of eachtrack-section, of'electrically-actuated block signals, a signal controlrelay for each signal, circuits for said signal controlrelays,

switches in certain of said circuits and con-' trolled by the signalrelay for the signal respectively next in advance governing traflic inthe same direction, whereby a gap may be made in the circuit of a signalcontrol relay, a normally open auxiliary circuit "around said. gap, andmeans to close said auxiliary'circuit around the gap made by the openingof one of said switches, said. means including a part set into motion bythe deenergization of a signal control relay and a member under controlof a track relay, said member having a plurality of positions, in one ofwhich it cooperates with said part, the operativeness of said means toclose said auxiliary circuit being dependent upon said member occupyinga position wherein it cospectively next in advance governing trailic inthe same direction, whereby a gap may be made in the circuit of a signalcontrol relay, a normally open auxiliary circuit around said gap, andmeans to close said auxiliary circuitaround the gap made by the openingof one of said switches, said means including a part set in motion bythe deenergization of a signal control relay and a member movable topositions within and Without the path of said part and under the controlof a track relay, the operative ness of said means to close saidauxiliary circuit being dependent upon the position of said member atthe time of deenergization of said last-named signal control relay.

39. Ina block signal system, the combination with a railway havingelectrically divided track-sections, a source of electric current inbridge of the rails of each section and a track relay in bridge of eachtrack-section, of electrically-actuated block signals, a signal controlrelay for each signal, circuits for said signal control relays, switchesin certain of said circuits and con.- trolled by the signal relay forthe signal respectively next in advance governing trailic Copies of thispatent may be obtained for in the same direction, whereby a gap may bemade in the circuit of a signal control relay, a normally open auxiliarycircuit around said gap, and ineansto close said auxiliary circuitupon'deenergization of a signal control relay, said means includingmechanism having operative and inoperative settings and controlledby atrack relay, the operativeness of said means to close said auxiliarycircuit being dependentupon the setting of said mechanism at the time ofdeenergizati on of said last-named signal control relay.

4L0. In a signaling system, a circuit, a switch member normally closingsaid circuit through one path and movable to make and break saidcircuit, a contact-selector con-- nected to a part of said circuit andadapted to be moved into and out of the path described by said switchduring its movement,

whereby the movement of said switch brings it into contact with saidcontact-selector to close said circuit through another path dependentupon the position oi said selector.

4-1. In a signaling system, a circuit, a switch member normally closingsaid circuit through one path and movable to males and break saidcircuit, a contact-selector connected to a part of said circuit andadapted to be moved into and out of the path described by said switchduring its movement to open said circuit, whereby the opening movementof said switch brings it into contact with said contact-selectorto'close said circuit through another path dependent upon the positionof said selector.

42. In a signaling system, a circuit, a n1ovthe movement of the switchmember is unali'ected whether or not said contact-selector is positionedto cooperate with said switch member to close said circuit.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of August,A. D., 1913.

ALLEN B. KENDALL.

lVitnesses MoCLnLLAN Youne, Gno. B. JONES.

five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner 6'; Patents,Washington, D. G.

